TUCSON — A bright blue sky is the only thing visible through the windshield. All I can hear is the screech of metal on stone as the vehicle’s frame scrapes over boulders on a 60-degree slope in the Sonoran Desert.

Everything is going exactly as it should in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

The new Wrangler is simultaneously the most capable off-road and quietest, most comfortable on-road vehicle in a 75-year lineage that traces directly to the original 1941 U.S. Army jeep.

“Its on-road manners are great, and the things it does off-road are mindboggling,” analyst Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends said.

The new Wrangler goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018. Prices start at $26,995 for a two-door and $30,495 for the four-door. The top Rubicon model, the most capable off-roader in the Wrangler family, goes for $36,995 for two-doors and $40,495 with four.

The Wrangler’s design is immediately recognizable. The new model, which made its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, offers hard and soft tops that are easier to remove and a new folding canvas power hardtop on Sahara models of the four-door. The doors are removable, and the windshield folds flat onto the hood. The new design makes it easier to accomplish both tasks, making it likely more Jeep owners will enjoy fully open driving.

Mopar is showcasing a selection of its 200-plus product portfolio for the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler with a pair of personalized vehicles on display during press days at the L.A Auto Show, including a four-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.
PR NEWSWIRE

Mopar is showcasing a selection of its 200-plus product portfolio for the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler with a pair of personalized vehicles on display during press days at the L.A Auto Show, including a four-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.
PR NEWSWIRE

Pietro Gorlier, head of Mopar parts and service at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, reveals parts and accessories available for the all-new Jeep Wrangler during an event at the 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.
Joe Wilssens, Joe Wilssens Photography, Inc.

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At 15.7 feet, the four-door is 21.6 inches longer than the two-door. Both models are longer than the outgoing model, but more maneuverable, with a smaller turning radius thanks to a wider track and new electro-hydraulic steering gear. That’s a key stat for off-roaders who navigate tight trails and rock fields.

The base engine is an updated version of Fiat Chrysler’s 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, with an 8-speed manual optional with the V-6.

The optional engine upgrade will surprise Jeep traditionalists on several fronts. It’s a 2-liter, 4-cylinder with a turbocharger and a mild hybrid system. The 8-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the 4-cylinder.

All those features could rankle hard-core Wrangler fans, who consider themselves the guardians of Jeep’s heritage and core values. The engine was developed alongside the Wrangler in FCA’s Auburn Hills, Mich., tech center, but it’s part of a global engine family that also powers the Alfa Romeo Giulia sport sedan and Stelvio SUV.

It develops 270 horsepower, but more importantly, more torque, more than the V-6, and a much lower rpm — 3,000 versus 4,800 for the V-6 — a combination that should be welcome off-road, where torque is a precious commodity.

The 2-liter engine delivered plenty of power on road and off, accelerating confidently in traffic and rolling through the desert with ease.

A 3-liter diesel V-6 will join the lineup in 2019.

The interior is more civilized and comfortable than any Wrangler before it. The tops of the doors are padded so you can lean on them, and the armrests are long enough you can actually rest an arm on them. The latest version of Fiat Chrysler’s excellent Uconnect infotainment system comes with 5-, 7- and 8.4-inch touch-screens.

How modern is the interior? The 2018 Wrangler has five USB ports — as many as it can hold passengers. Sure, one is just for charging, but based on the Wrangler, USB count will be the next competitive battleground, as the number of cup holders was for years.

The rear-seat and cargo area are both bigger than before.

On paved roads, the 2018 Wrangler is far smoother and quieter than its predecessor, thanks to an all-new structure that uses high-strength steel for a lighter, stronger frame. The two-door is 140 pounds lighter than the predecessor. The four-door sheds 200 pounds. Aluminum body panels contribute to the reduction.